High duty factor plasma generator for CERN's Superconducting Proton Linac

Area of Science:

• Particle Accelerator Technology
• Plasma Physics
• Materials Science

Background:

• CERN's Linac4 accelerator requires an upgraded H(-) ion source for the Superconducting Proton Linac (SPL) project.
• The High Power Superconducting Proton Linac (HP-SPL) demands higher performance from the ion source, including longer pulse durations and higher repetition rates.
• Existing plasma generator designs face thermal limitations under these increased operational demands.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and engineer a novel water-cooled plasma generator for the Linac4 H(-) ion source.
• To overcome thermal management challenges associated with the High Power Superconducting Proton Linac (HP-SPL) requirements.
• To ensure the reliable and sustained operation of the ion source at upgraded performance levels.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a finite element thermal study of the existing Linac4 H(-) plasma generator to identify critical components and thermal barriers.
• Developed a new plasma generator design incorporating a water-cooling system.
• Selected materials with enhanced thermal conductivity and improved thermal contact through brazing to eliminate thermal barriers.
• Modeled the AlN plasma chamber cooling circuit based on designs used in similar high-duty factor sources.

Main Results:

• The proposed cooling system effectively dissipates heat, meeting the demands of the High Power Superconducting Proton Linac (HP-SPL).
• Engineering modifications, including material selection and brazing, successfully mitigated identified thermal issues.
• The new design maintains the original functionality of the H(-) ion source while enabling significantly higher operational parameters.
• The AlN plasma chamber cooling circuit demonstrates feasibility for high-duty factor operation.

Conclusions:

• The developed water-cooled plasma generator is a viable solution for the upgraded requirements of CERN's Superconducting Proton Linac (SPL).
• The design effectively manages thermal loads, ensuring the performance and reliability of the H(-) ion source.
• This advancement supports the High Power Superconducting Proton Linac (HP-SPL) project and future high-luminosity upgrades at the Large Hadron Collider.